The One

By Kiera Cass

THE SELECTION changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. Now, only one will claim Prince Maxon’s heart…

It’s swoon meets the Hunger Games in the third instalment of THE SELECTION series!

For the four girls who remain at the palace, the friendships they’ve formed, rivalries they’ve struggled with and dangers they’ve faced have bound them to each other for the rest of their lives.

Now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown – or to Prince Maxon’s heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realises just how much she stands to lose – and how hard she’ll have to fight for the future she wants.

The breathtaking third title in THE SELECTION series will make you swoon!

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: May 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9780007581214

Kiera Cass

Kiera Cass is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Selection series and The Siren. She is a wife and mom and too many other things to list. If she could make a crown out of anything, it would be the unending tears of her readers. You can learn more about Kiera and her books at www.kieracass.com.

Reviews for The One

[tjsjohanna_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Despite her unconventionality, America has made it to the last group of contenders. Maxon's father is adamantly opposed to her as the next princess, but Maxon's mother seems to be sympathetic. The biggest push and pull of this book is the refusal of either America or Maxon to admit how they feel to each other - and neither is willing to commit without knowing for sure how the other feels. It's lame. There is a serious end to the book.

[mhanover10 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've been waiting for this book ever since I finished The Elite last year. I love this trilogy. It's a fun twist of the Bachelor but set in the future and it's the Prince that must choose a wife. This is the conclusion when Maxon decides which Elite he picks. Of course from the beginning you had to know it would be America because why have a strong character like her not to be picked. Or was she? America becomes a stronger person as the story progresses, she stands up for what she believes in and helps Maxon become a stronger person and learn who he really is. There are more rebels too. Now that all three books are out, I would read them all at once. Since there is a book 4 and 5 coming does that mean this has changed from a trilogy to a series? This book sure ended like it was the end of a trilogy.

[plancultivatecreate · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I read book one then skipped to book 3. I liked the strength and determination of America and found the rebel subplot added an extra level of interest. A quick and enjoyable read.

[angelarenea-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This review is full of spoilers.

This book was not as good as the first one, but much better than the second. I really liked that the back and forth between Aspen and Maxon came to an end pretty early on. As I've said in my review of The Elite, I was not a fan of the love triangle. I still found the love story plot a bit tired. Maxon was selfish and obnoxious dating 3 people at once, although I do know that is the basis for this series. The thing that got me though was the childish games that America and Maxon played with each other. Who cares who says I love you first? Page after page of back and forth monologues about how she loves him but can't or won't say it unless he says it first, and then the arguments over who should say it! For Heaven's sake just someone say it and be done with it!

As far as the political aspect, I thought it was amazing! I liked the way the northern rebels' story line played out and I absolutely loved the scenes with the Italians. This book had a feel that danger was right around the corner, but unlike the previous book, it felt important, and worth the risk.

I also really enjoyed seeing the family dynamic in the Singer household and was genuinely sad when the father died. I did not, however like the 180 Celeste's character pulled. I think she started out too extreme and had to come too far too fast to make it believable. I did like her after said unbelievable character change.

I think that the ending was rushed and a little bit of a cop out, but I saw it coming. Too much setup had been laid out for the Aspen reveal not to touch on it, and the king had to die to tie this up nicely. I didn't see the queen's death coming though, and was upset about that. I really liked her, she seemed like quite a lady.

If someone liked the first two books, I think that they would really enjoy this wrap up of the series.

[simplykelina · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“Don’t worry. The best people all have some kind of scar.”I really am glad I gave this series a chance after not loving book one. I am really enjoying it.While I am reading, I will type or write down notes. During The One, I had wrote down that I loved the relationship between America and her father. I did not know at the time where the story with her father was going to go. I had a great bond with my father and he passed away while I was still young. So, the story between America and her father really touched me in a way it may have not others who read this one.I also loved the development of the relationship between Maxon and America. I also love how strong a female character America is as she does not allow others to dictate how she acts and thinks.Great series so far!

[rabidgummibear-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow this series is a crazy fun read and I highly recommend checking it out if you like dystopianesque novels.

I am so happy about America and Aspen ending where they did. I'm left slightly curious about how the following books work out and will definitely read them eventually.

Also thank god Aspen wasn't as annoying in this one!

[master275 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Really? I was enjoying this book right up till the end and it was just so rushed!!! I mean I don't think it was ever doubted that she would end up with who she did.....but really! They fight (again) - rebel trouble (again) - and a wedding. What? No details? We can read for pages about things that didn't matter in the end....but no wedding details??? And not just the wedding...I felt like lots of things were introduced in this book that ended up having no relevance at all (unless they play into the last two books).
I like the story----just wanted so much more in this one. I rounded up to 3 stars (generous, IMO) - but if I rated the ending alone it would be a one:-(

[rosetyper9 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Through all three books I knew that shoe was going to drop...both actually. The ending was a tad predictable and I was a little sad for it. I enjoyed the journey and by the end I did kind of want to smack the crap out of America, shake her, and tell her to get herself together.

I enjoyed the ride though and I'll happily read the next one.

[jessika.c · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well well well this series took a turn for the better. In this installment of the selection series, we reach the episode of The Bachelor where the dude is torn between two girls and the way he wants to make his choice is to see if he can get one of the girls to bite the bullet and tell him she loves him first. America being the spicy one with no intentions of showing her cards first is reluctant to play Maxon’s game. One thing that The Bachelor never really does is show the camaraderie between the ladies and in this one, the final four become better friends. Oh, and I finally got over what makes America unlikable.Once I remembered that I tend to judge people based on who they liked I just ignored it. Since I don’t like Maxon (still don’t) I didn’t like America. There’s something about him that rubs me the wrong way but hopefully he grows on me like America did. But seriously, I started enjoying this book a lot more after I got over how corny Maxon could be.

[karenvg3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a good conclusion to the story either a HEA. But yet there are several more books. America was a bit less wispy washy I'm this book which made me happy. Again the story kept me on the edge of my seat needing to read until all hours of the night. Moving on to the next.

[thepageparamour · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Apr 2018 = 4.5 stars
Jun 2014 = 5 stars

[jdifelice-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well my god America could you get more annoying at some points...the whole time when she would cut off Aspen I just knew he was trying to tell her he was involved with Lucy..as soon as they said she was scatter brained, I was like, yep that's happening. Also her and Maxon, I just wanted to throttle with the whole I love you thing...like I get that they both don't want to get hurt, but man that was annoying. I've always liked Celeste cause she was awesome and they finally showed it! and I was sad to see her die :( I thoroughly enjoyed that book, almost read it in a day but had to put it down near the end.

[edensteffey · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Thought it ended abruptly. Still ok.

[ca8bookwyrm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book has more of what I liked about the first two books in the series, and less of the love triangle, which made me very happy. It was interesting watching the remaining girls go through phases of their relationship -- from catty to mean to indifferent to friendly. All very fascinating, especially thinking about what I was like as a teenager. Parts of their reactions felt completely real. I did appreciate getting conclusion with some of the subplots, though there are still some questions left unanswered.

[samanthamholt · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I did not enjoy this one as much as the others however it absolutely had more of a plot than the first two. I did enjoy the first half of the book but the 2nd half seemed rushed and convenient. I found the "fight" to be pretty anticlimactic and I wasn't impressed with how America was still so indecisive and immature. I get it, she's only 17 but considering what she's been through, I expected more from her. I also was disappointed with how simple Aspen's involvement was especially toward the end. I found his ending awfully convenient when it didn't need to be. I would have preferred more development and a bigger payoff than what the author provided. However, I am overall satisfied with the ending and think it was enough to warrant three stars. I'm not as excited to read the next book as I know it doesn't focus on Max and America but I'll get to it, I'm sure.

[anacskie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I actually like this one. There are parts of this book that I still think America is so dense but I like this better than the second book (The One). The first book (The Selection) is of course my favorite. Anyway, I love how everything ended. So yes, I'm looking forward to read the next installment.

[themjrawr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My. Somehow, this book broke through my cynical nature and I really really enjoyed it! I'm a little surprised myself.

[tiffanyak_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

By the time you get to this one, you basically know where it's going, but it's still a fun trip to get there.

[bookishpeach240 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really liked the first and the second books of this series. I liked this book as well, but it would have been better if America did more than encourage the people of Illea to fight back.

[emma_manolis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a strong conclusion to the Selection trilogy! The second book left me feeling confused and uncertain as to where we would go next. I really think this is the book that America really discovers who she is and I completely enjoyed the journey. This is a book I couldn't put down!

[ladykat_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I read book one then skipped to book 3. I liked the strength and determination of America and found the rebel subplot added an extra level of interest. A quick and enjoyable read.

[danaenicole-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's been so long since I've read this, that I don't have a lot to say about it (sorry).[MAJOR SPOILERS THROUGHOUT]I can say that a heck of a lot of people died while I was waiting for my mom at the chiropractor. And it was my birthday. I mean, geez. Right when I started reading, they started dropping like flies. It was ridiculous.And it kind of annoyed me that Cass didn't tell us whether Kriss survived or not until she appeared at the wedding.Also, I just wanna say that I called the deaths of both America and Maxon's fathers. I'm really sad that Amberly died and that she'll never get to embrace America as a daughter. 3This is kind of random, but there were a couple of times when Cass said something like "She held her back", which I read as physically restraining someone, but was meant to mean returning a hug. I don't know if that misunderstanding was my fault or hers...Anyway, I'm super happy that America and Maxon ended up together and I am (was) excited to continue the series!

[laura.w.douglas · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sweet sweet book. Enjoyed my ride through these three works. Wanted exactly how I thought it would.

[benuathanasia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Continuing in much the same vein as the previous books, this was a decent conclusion that (too conveniently) wraps up all loose ends.*spoiler alert*Too many of the "loose" ends were wrapped up with a deus ex machina assault on the palace removing America and Maxon's ability to confront some of their greatest issues, which - understandably - felt very weak and angered me.

[cybercarotte-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not quite as good as the first or the second (mind you, I find it's often the case with trilogies) and it was kinda corny in places, but a good read nonetheless.

[aurorapaigem-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

America is still a hopeless romantic and the Selection is still going on. While that part of the story is getting old, the injection of the Northern Rebels into the cast of characters certainly makes things interesting. I'm so glad she ends up picking who she picks. Hopefully we can now move forward with the storyline. Can't wait to see where they go from here! Audio-Hoopla

[mtlkch-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Glad it's over!

[Carol Stroh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Truly a remarkable story . Sometimes I wanted to shake America and tell her to wake up. I don't know when I have read such a beautifully told story

[Hweakley · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Sigh....after buzzing through the first two, I found myself crawling my way to finish this one. I spent most of the book genuinely annoyed at both America and Maxon and more often than not, rooting for her to just go home and end the ridiculous business.

After Maxon’s rather grand gesture at the end of book two I found America’s insecurity idiotic and frustrating. Even more frustrating was their silent feud over who would “say it” first...this after America promised in book two to fight for it. The dystopian world continues to be too simplistic and cartoonish to be compelling on its own. But the biggest issue was that I simply stopped rooting for the love story almost as soon as the book began. A disappointing finish to what started as a really fun series.

[chombyma · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book and the others are the most wonderful books ever you are an amazing writer